15 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in China - China Travel Guide
Over the 700 years since Europeans first read Marco
Polo's account of a 20-year stay at Kublai Khan's court with astonishment, the
West has viewed China as the embodiment of all that is weird and exotic. The
country has not lost any of its fascination even today, its completely
different culture dating back over 5000 years making each visit a very special
experience. Incomparable palaces such as the Forbidden City and Summer Palace
in Beijing remind the celestial emperors, concubines and eunuchs of the days of
China's rule.
The Great Wall - at its most impressive where it
passes just a little to the north of Beijing - winds for 6700 km (4000 mi.)
westward from the Yellow Sea to Jiayuguan in Central Asia. Ancient temples like
the Princess of the Azure Cloud's monastic temple on Mount Taishan or the
Confucian Temple in Qufu emanate the spirit of ancient Eastern religions and
philosophies. The Middle Kingdom cities, of which more than 50 have populations
of more than a million, and the coastal provinces are now enjoying a booming
economic boom. This vast Asian country, large as a continent, offers unlimited
scope for traveling in landscapes as varied as South Yunnan's steamy jungles,
the mighty snow-clad western mountains, and the endless Central Asian deserts
along the old Silk Road.
Northern China presents tourists with a rich range
of opportunities, from riding shaggy ponies through the huge expanse of the
Inner Mongolian steppe, sleeping in a Mongolian yurt, visiting Kasak nomads in
the Altai and participating in the ancient martial art of kung fu at the
Shaolin Monastery, to exploring the impressive Buddhist caves at Datong and
Luoyang and joining in the celebration of the Ice Festival in the crisp winter
frost of Manchuria. The appeal of southern China lies not only in the
glittering, shoppers' paradise of Hong Kong, where East meets West in unique
synthesis, nor in Portuguese Macao, but equally in the Guilin Mountains, a
karst landscape of truly fairytale beauty unmatched anywhere in the world.
Whether it be a luxury cruise through the
picturesque Changjiang gorges, a visit to Jingdezhen to fathom the secrets of
the famous Chinese porcelain makers, a stroll through the magical gardens at
Suzhou, a gourmet excursion into the culinary capital Canton to sample the
various styles of Chinese cooking, an ascent of the holy Mount Emeishan in
Sichuan, a trip to Lesham to marvel at the world's largest buddha, or just
sunbathing on palm-fringed beaches in Hainan, China has something for every
taste and hence all the essential ingredients for an unforgettable holiday in a
quite exceptionally absorbing country.
Since the world discovered China more than 700 years
ago through adventurer Marco Polo's writings, we have come to see this great
Asian country as the embodiment of everything that is mysterious and exotic.
Even now, this vast country has not lost any of its fascination after decades
of economic growth. Indeed, the contrast between the ancient customs of China
and the developing new ultra-modern state has only increased our fascination
with a culture that dates back many thousands of years.
It is a culture much celebrated by the Chinese
themselves, as evidenced by the preservation of such important historical sites
as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing's capital, each
reminiscent of the days of the emperors of China. And then, of course, there is
the famous Great Wall that winds from the Yellow Sea to Central Asia for 6,700
kilometres, while its countless shrines exude the spirit of ancient Eastern
religions. Thanks to its size, China offers unlimited scope for exploration as
a tourist destination. Whether traveling aboard a luxury cruise ship through
the picturesque gorges of Yangtze, visiting a busy city, or seeking the
tranquility of an ancient temple, this country is full of amazing experiences.
Find fascinating, unusual and adventurous things to do with our list of China's
top tourist attractions.
01.The Great Wall
of China
"No one can be a true hero unless he's been on
the Great Wall," the popular Chinese saying goes, one that shows clearly
how important this unique ancient monument is. The magnificent Great Wall of
China (known in Chinese as "Changcheng" or the "Long Wall")
extends over 6,000 kilometers from the Shanhaiguan fortresses in the east all
the way to Jiayuguan in the west, passing through Hebei, Tientsin, Beijing —
where you can visit the best preserved sections of the wall— Inner Mongolia,
Ningxia, and Gansu.
On average six to eight meters in height but as high
as 16 meters— and wide enough in places to pass five horses or ten men — the
wall boasts numerous battlements and watchtowers, some dating back to the 7th
century BC, with the best-known areas added around 210 BC when its different
sections were joined. Today, near Badaling Pass northwest of Beijing, the most
visited section of the wall is easily accessible by public transport or
organized tours. Other restored sections worth a visit include the section near
Gubeikou, 130 kilometers from Beijing and only 70 kilometers north-east of
Beijing in Mutianyu.
02. The Forbidden
City and the Imperial Palace, Beijing
The Forbidden City, China's largest and most
important building, also known as the Imperial Palace, is located in the very
heart of Beijing and is a must-see when visiting the country. Started between
1271-1368 during the Yuan Dynasty, much of the complex seen today (it's really
many beautiful palaces in one) was built between 1406 and 1420 as the residence
of 24 Ming and Qing Emperors, whose presence forbade anyone other than the
imperial family and their courtesans to enter.
This massive complex, covering some 720,000 square
meters and protected by a 10-meter-high wall with watchtowers and a wide moat,
consists of areas set aside for ceremonial and administrative purposes, as well
as a private residence used by the emperor. While it may take many hours to see
everything, highlights include the five white marble Golden River Bridges; the
Hall of Supreme Harmony, a 35-meter-high building housing the imperial throne;
the exquisite Emperor's banquet hall (the Hall of Preserving Harmony); and the
Palace Museum with its extensive collection of Ming and Qing dynasties
artifacts, to name but a few. Other important attractions in the vicinity of
the Imperial Palace include famous Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven,
one of the country's most important religious sites, which dates back to the
15th century.
03. The Terracotta
Army
It was during the 1970s when digging wells in Xi'an
outskirts that farmers stumbled across what was to be the most important
archeological find in China: the Terracotta Army. Distributed over three large
underground pits and built to guard the tomb of the First Emperor were over
8,000 life-size warriors, some 520 horses, and over 100 chariots, along with
numerous other non-military characters from around 280 BC. Although some have
been severely damaged due to the passage of time, many of the unearthed statues
have been reassembled painstakingly and stand as a testament to the importance
given to the emperor and the afterlife. The site — part of the Emperor Qin Shi
Huang's Mausoleum Site Park — is one of China's most important tourist
destinations and offers the unforgettable experience of standing in front of
this assembly of soldiers and horses as if inspecting a centuries-old parade.
04. The Summer
Palace
The sumptuous Imperial Summer Palace (Yíhé Yuán) is
located in the middle of over 700 acres of beautiful parkland and is one of the
most visited attractions in China. While the palace itself was built in 1153,
it added its large lake to the Imperial Gardens in the 14th century. Highlights
include the magnificent Hall of Well-being and Longevity (Renshou Dian) with
its throne and the beautiful Great Theater, a three-story private structure
built in 1891 to satisfy the love of opera by the imperial family and still
used for traditional Chinese plays and musical events. Other highlights include
the Hall of Happiness and Longevity (Le Shou Tang Hall), with its beautiful
gardens and courtyards, as well as several miles of picturesque trails and
walking trails. If time permits, try to take in the ruins of the Old Summer
Palace, which was once said to have been one of the most elaborate and
architecturally attractive palaces in the country, but which was sadly
destroyed by colonialism.
05. Cruising the Li
River
The town of Guilin, located in Guangxi's northeast
corner, boasts some of the most beautiful countryside in China and is famous
for the Li River, which meanders through the town and surrounding karst
mountains. While this unique scenery has attracted poets and artists for
hundreds of years and has been the subject of countless fairy tales and
legends, it is now popular among tourists from all over the world.
Taking a cruise along the Li River is the best way
to enjoy the area. From Guilin to Yangshuo, the most popular stretch is where
the river meanders peacefully through some 80 kilometers of remarkable rock
formations and caves with romantic names like Mount of Unique Beauty, Elephant
Trunk Hill, and Reed Flute Cave. Depending on the type of boat used — from a
tourist cruise ship to small bamboo punts you can choose— trips can take from a
few hours to several days anywhere.
06. Chengdu
Research Bases of Giant Panda Breeding
Without at least one panda experience, there would
be no complete visit to China. While the top zoos in the country boast many
fine specimens of these fascinating creatures, the best place to see them close
to their natural habitat is at the excellent Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. You will have the opportunity here to watch as
many as 80 pandas perform their daily routines, from foraging to playing in the
large park-like setting of the facility.
In addition to closely viewing these beautiful
animals, you will learn a lot about them from the numerous permanent exhibits
and displays detailing ongoing conservation efforts to protect their future.
Tours in English are available. Try to schedule your visit for the morning
feeding sessions when the pandas are most active; better yet, sign up for one
of the unique experiential volunteer programs that will involve you in feeding
and caring for these cuddly creatures... And perhaps even holding a panda for
the baby.
07. The Yangtze
River and the Three Gorges
The mighty Yangtze River, known in China as Chang
Jiang ("Long River"), extends over 6,000 kilometers, making it the
longest and most important river in China and the third longest river in the
world after the Amazon and Nile. The Yangtze has been China's major
transportation route (some 2,700 kilometers are navigable) for over 2,000
years, flowing from Tibet in the west to Shanghai in the east through eight
provinces. Its vast catchment area, with 700 tributaries, covers approximately
one-fifth of the country's total area and covers one-quarter of the country's
farmland.
While its immense length makes it possible to visit
the river at numerous points in China, the most popular among tourists is the
beautiful Three Gorges— Qutang, Wu, and Xiling— a 200-kilometer stretch between
Fengjie and Yichang towns. Here the river winds its way through the gorges and
their rough cliffs and high mountain peaks in a stretch of scenery as dramatic
as the Grand Canyon, a mixture of raging torrents and dangerous shallows. There
are numerous sightseeing options available, from luxurious riverboat cruises
focusing on the many historical attractions and places of scenic beauty in the
region to challenging adventure tours along the river's most dramatic sections.
08. The Classical
Gardens of Suzhou
Considered one of the most important historic
gardens in the world— hence its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site —
Suzhou's Classical Gardens should rank high on your travel route to China.
Located in the historic town of Suzhou in the province of Jiangsu, these
magnificent gardens were built in the 11th century, at a time when the town was
experiencing unprecedented growth, and were planted here among some 270 or more
gardens. The most famous of the surviving restored gardens is the delightful
Lingering Garden, a seven-acre site laid out in 1800 on the site of a park that
was originally built during the Ming Dynasty.
One of China's most famous garden complexes, the
garden features a swimming pool, several attractive buildings, a man-made hill,
a peach grove, and a beautiful covered pathway on the walls hanging over three
hundred stone tablets engraved with ancient Chinese characters. The Cang Lang
Ting Pavilion Garden, a two-acre garden with many unique features, including a
double arcade connecting the inner and outer sections, is also worth visiting.
09. The Potala
Palace, Tibet
The magnificent Potala Palace in the town of Lhasa,
Tibet, is another of China's most recognizable historical structures. Built for
the Dalai Lama as a fortress and residence, it has been a center of political
and religious power for centuries and contains many of the most important
treasures of religion. Built in the 17th century, the first of the two Potala
Palaces, the Red Palace, contains the most important shrines of the complex in
the Enthronement Hall, whose walls are covered with murals depicting scenes
from the lives of the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan kings. Other highlights of
the Red Palace are its many vast halls devoted to the religion's teachings, and
the elaborate tombs (known as "stupas") of a number of Dalai Lamas.
The equally impressive White Palace was completed in
1648 and includes the most untouched sleeping quarters, studies, and reception
rooms since the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959. Be sure to visit the beautiful
Jewel Gardens while in Lhasa. These 90-acre gardens were first launched in the
1840s as part of the summer residence of the Dalai Lama and encompass
everything from grand palaces and pavilions to pleasant lakes.
10. Shanghai's
Promenade: The Bund
In the beautiful river promenade of Shanghai, the
Zhongshan Lu, perhaps better known as the Bund (Wàitan), a remarkable act of
smart city planning and preservation can be seen. As you walk along the Huangpu
Jiang River in this wide pedestrian zone, you'll almost forget that you're
bang-smack in the middle of China's largest city (the population of Shanghai is
over 24 million). Famous for its European feeling, a fact due to the past of
the district as the location of the International Settlement of the city, the
Bund is popular for its 52 preserved English and French-influenced buildings,
many now restaurants, cafes, shops and art galleries.
The architecture represents a variety of influences
from Gothic to Renaissance styles— including a number of Art Deco buildings —
includes highlights such as the old harbor customs office with its bell tower
and the majestic Peace Hotel. Visit the Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite
bank of the Huangpu Jiang River for the best views of the Bund. If time
permits, be sure to visit the Yu Garden as well. This must-see garden,
affectionately known as the "Garden of Happiness," can trace its
roots back to 1559 when it was laid out (many of the original structures still
survive today).
11. Hangzhou's Historic West Lake
Few cities in China can boast the same concentration
of beautiful historical sites and ancient temples as the town of Hangzhou
(Hangchow), the capital of the province of Zhejiang at the southernmost end of
the famous Grand Canal in China. Much of this wealthy collection is gathered
around beautiful West Lake, a six-kilometer-square stretch of water in the
heart of the old town, surrounded by numerous hills, pagodas and temples. Divided
into five distinct sections by man-made causeways dating back as far as the
11th century, it's a marvelous area to explore on foot as you cross from one
stretch of water to the next, only to be met with another cluster of fine old
buildings (it's particularly pleasant in spring when its many peach trees are
blossoming).
Part of the fun is to linger on the many fine old
bridges of the lake, one of the best being the Broken Bridge (Duanqiao)
connecting the Baidi Causeway with the shore and exploring Little Paradise
Island with its four mini-lakes connected by the Nine Arches zigzagging bridge.
Be sure to hop on board one of the many tour boats and small pleasure crafts
available to whisk you around the lake, and stick around for the fun musical
fountain show that takes place every evening if time allows.
12. The Mausoleum
of Light: The Northern Imperial Tomb
The old town of Shenyang, an important center for
trade and culture and home to the Mausoleum of Light (Zhaoling), also known as
the Northern Imperial Tomb, is located in the mountainous northeastern region
of China. One of the most important historic sites in northeastern China— it is
included in the list of Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties on the
UNESCO World Heritage Site— the tomb is known for its unique architectural
style: a combination of traditionally arranged Chinese burial sites and early
Qing-period castle-like buildings. Buried here in a vast site covering more
than 180,000 square meters that took eight years to complete is Emperor Huang
Taiji, who reigned from 1626-35. The site is notable for its "Path of
Souls," a laneway lined with stone columns and sculptures of the emperor's
favorite horses.
Another important site is the impressive Imperial
Palace from the early Qing era, China's second largest fully preserved palace
complex after Beijing's Imperial Palace. The complex served as a residence for
the first Qing Emperors and includes several beautiful courtyards around which
numerous buildings are grouped, including the Hall of High Government
(Chongzheng Dian) housing the imperial throne.
13. Leshan Giant
Buddha
"The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a
mountain," says the famous Chinese saying, one attributed to Leshan Giant
Buddha's spectacular71-meter high. And as you stand at his feet, it certainly
makes sense as the colossal statue towers high above you. Started by a Buddhist
monk in AD 713 and completed 90 years later, this important religious icon is
entirely carved from a stone cliff and is the world's largest Buddha sculpture.
The statue, representing the Buddha Maitreya, is even more dramatic in view of
its location overlooking the river it was designed to appease (it had often
proved to be treacherous for shipping). The Giant Buddha, designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to attract huge numbers of pilgrims from
all over the world and is widely regarded as one of China's must-visit
attractions. The Leshan Giant Buddha can be reached easily from the city of
Chengdu by a fun ferry trip from the public docks in Leshan. Also worth
exploring is the scenic park in which the Buddha is set, so be sure to allocate
enough time on your itinerary.
14. The Hong Kong
Skyline
Widely regarded as one of the most dramatic city
skylines in the world— both because it has one of the highest concentrations of
skyscrapers and the presence of the tall hills that frame them— Hong Kong has
been the busy capital of finance and trade in this part of the Pacific for
decades. And it's a cityscape that can be enjoyed with a variety of benefits.
One of the best views is from Hong Kong Island's Victoria Peak, where the
skyscrapers frame the city's enormous harbor, a special afternoon treat. The
view from Victoria Harbor itself is equally amazing. Here you can hop on board
one of Hong Kong's famous ferries and head to various points, such as Kowloon,
for wandering and exploring. Or you can just stay and enjoy the views on board.
Try to time your trip to coincide, if possible, with the nightly laser
extravaganza, a stunning 360-degree laser-light show using the skyscrapers of
the harbor as a magical backdrop (try to catch the show from Victoria Harbor's
Kowloon side for the best views).
15. Zhangjiajie
National Forest Park
When you first look at Zhangjiajie National Forest
Park in Hunan Province, it's certainly not hard to see how inspiration could be
drawn from it by filmmaker James Cameron. Cameron's box office hit, Avatar,
could well have been set in this area of amazing natural beauty, its many
unique pillar-like rock formations looking like some amazing alien landscape
right out of a sci-fi movie (one of the highest pillars, standing at an
impressive 1,080-meter, was actually renamed "Avatar Hallelujah
Mountain").
This is one of China's least known places to visit.
Besides its many natural wonders, which can best be explored as part of an
organized tour, there are a number of new man-made attractions in the park. The
first to be built was the Bailong Elevator, known as the "Hundred Dragons
Sky Lift." In less than two minutes, it is an impressive structure that
lifts groups of up to 50 people 326 meters skyward, and one that offers
dramatic views all the way. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, opened
in 2016 and known as the highest and highest pedestrian bridge in the world, is
also noteworthy. Standing 300 meters above the ground and extending 430 meters
along a spectacular cliff face, it's an attraction that's definitely not
recommended for the faint of heart but one of the best things to do if you are
looking to add a little adventure to your day.
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